Dr. Heather Richmond Featured as an Expert in Sunday Edit

Dr. Heather Richmond, a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, was recently featured in Sunday Edit, a beauty and lifestyle magazine from Sunday Riley Modern Skincare. The article explores the impact of stress on fingernails and Dr. Richmond was consulted to give an overview of nail anatomy and explain the ways in which stress can show on nails.

How Does Stress Affect Fingernails?

Stress feels different for everyone and can result in changes in the skin, sleep, and overall well-being. While most of us are aware of the ways stress influences our lives, many people do not know that our nails are one area in which you can see tangible signs of stress. Dr. Richmond explains that this is because physical illness “can temporarily stop or disrupt the production of a new nail on some or all of the nails”.

Dr. Richmond outlines various things to look out for when assessing nail health. She explains that while small white dots on the nail plate called leukonychia punctata can be normal, Mees’ lines are horizontal white bands and may be a sign of serious problems like kidney disease or heart failure. Also watch out for horizontal grooves in the nail plate, which are known as Beau’s lines. These are caused by a temporary disruption in the growth of the nail plate during a time of serious illness, such as when high fever is present. The timing of the illness can be approximated by how far down the nail the line has traveled as the nail grows out. Consult a doctor if you see horizontal lines or grooves on your nails.

Read the full article at Sunday Edit to learn the other signs of stress that can show up on your nails.

Contact Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston

Dr. Richmond and the team at our Houston dermatology practice are dedicated to skin health. We offer a variety of minimally invasive treatments to rejuvenate and restore. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation appointment.